
Aircraft Recoveries Hallum and Holwert 2024

Leemans Aircraft Recovery has been tasked with recovering the aircraft wrecks that crashed during World War II. This effort not only brings valuable historical materials to light but also provides comfort to the families of the fallen pilots, even after so many years. For the family of the German pilot Georg Wilhelm, who crashed his Messerschmitt in the Noarderleech near Hallum on July 16, 1943, the recovery was an emotional moment. They were present at the crash site to witness the start of the recovery.
The Messerschmitt BF 109 was a German fighter plane that went into a dive, presumably due to a piloting error by the 21-year-old Wilhelm. After the fatal crash, the wreck remained in the marshy area, which the Germans marked as a field grave. The recovery by Leemans is the first physical action since the plane’s crash and holds both historical and human significance.
Leemans Special Works: Your base for a safe and healthy soil.
Explosives
Archeology
Aircraft recovery
Environment
Leemans knows what happens below the surface
In the past, many events occurred that led to radical changes in our environment. We accurately identify these events apply them to maps. Leemans Special Works manages everything that happens under the water- and soil surface.
Analyze and adjust
Our specialists are mapping all land-related movements from the past and present in (GIS). After that the wishes of the client are faithfully carried out by our specialists.
On this site, at a glance, we show you our various disciplines.
Five times we make the difference:
- Specialized professionals with extensive practical experience.
- More than 35 years in identifying and securing explosives.
- Specialized historical research into specific areas.
- Constant innovation and development.
- Employable at any time of the day and of the week.

Historical research
A thorough historical investigation will be conducted to determine whether an area is under suspicion for the presence of explosives. When performed according to the WCS OCE this gives the proper guidelines on how to deal with the movable ground work within the project area. Leemans Special Works offers two crucial business: expert experience and the equipment to detect and secure explosives independently or in collaboration with one of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Services.

Detection and approach
After selecting a appropriate detection method for the project area, and after performing the detection, a list of suspicious objects within the project area is obtained. The methods used are depending on local circumstances. Depending on the project will be determined whether and which how objects should be approached to determine if the objects are explosives.

Approach

Professional Safeguarding

Responsible destruction

Author of normative manual SIKB
Meanwhile Leemans Special Works has gained a lot of proven experience regarding our specialized work in conjunction with archeology, OCE and Environment. For example, at the site of Fort Knotsenburg, Nijmegen and the ammunition depot in Apeldoorn. Based on that experience we wrote the manual for the SIKB how to handle responsible and safe with the combination of archeology and explosives detection. This normative manual describes how this works in practice to be applied in the above disciplines.

Desk Research
Leemans Special Works is your experienced partner for an archaeological desk investigation.

Program of Demands
The results will provide input for a plan of demands as a starting point for implementation. We can let coincide this with the above-mentioned disciplines.

Archeology
On the basis of trial trenches or drilled holes our specialists define if archaeological traces are found, based on desk research.
During World War II, thousands of planes crashed in the Netherlands. These aircraft were equipped with various weapons and bombs. In many cases these are still present on the crash site. Unfortunately, this includes remains of the crew. Obviously the ammunition is highly explosive. Also fuel and other fluids from the crashed plane still contaminating soil and groundwater.
The Dutch specialist
Leemans specializes in securing the explosives, and especially the possible remains of missing crew members. In both cases we give the highest possible attention. We do this in collaboration with the Dutch military at a high quality level, and especially high safety level. Leemans has already recovered more than thirty-five aircraft wrecks. Obviously Leemans gives the highest priority to bring back missing crew members that we may find in or around the plane wreckage.
The Stentor (Dutch newspaper) shows a funeral ceremony in a movie. During this ceremony, four British crew from the Halifax DT795 were buried. Leemans was not involved in this project but salvaging missing crew is something we do often and consider important.
Click the link below to read the publication in the Staatscourant on aircraft storage:

Flower ceremony at the recovery site near Breezanddijk 2023.
Ceremony R5682 Warten
Clients ask Leemans Special Works increasingly on projects in which multiple disciplines are combined within sensitive areas. Think of projects in wetlands and Natura 2000 areas. The latter is a large European network of protected natural areas with the aim of protecting biodiversity in the European Union.

Clear and manageable
Based on the Special Works by Leemans orchestrated combinations of implementation, for example, archeology, ecology and the environment, the project remains clear to the parties involved, but above all manageable. Unexpectedly encountered contamination during the implementation will directly be put into custom work. Of course always in consultation with the client.
Earthworks
Leemans Speciaalwerken has long been an expert in earthworks. Projects involving earth displacement must conform to the Dutch Soil Quality Decree (BBK) and the Dutch Soil Protection Act (WBB) at all times. Pollution often plays a crucial part, unfortunately. Our experience enables us to accurately and insightfully manage even the most complicated projects. Leemans Speciaalwerken is experienced in projects involving nature areas, railway, road network, airports, water infrastructure, and remediation areas.
We actively contribute to finding a solution and can operate flexibly using our own equipment. We can take on both the management and the full execution of a project.

Water works in ecological risky areas
Leemans Special Works performs various water works with the self-propelling workship Bisam. This has both detection and the equipment to approach on board. Meant to be if an unexpectedly object is encountered, while performing maintenance work on water, such as an explosive, immediately can be safeguarded. Therefore the water project in question, our rivers or the Wadden Sea, experience minimal discomfort and is safe to continue. We work closely with the administrators of these waters, often the regional water authorities and Rijkswaterstaat.

Ecology: targeted risk reduction
Leemans employs a special team for maintenance under various conditions within ecological risky areas. Such as Natura 2000 and areas close to and within the flood protection program for the management of the dikes in the Netherlands. Together with the client and an ecologist Leemans represents an ecological management plan for the area in question. This management Leemans developed based on the needs of clients such as Staatsbosbeheer and Natuurmonumenten.

Inventorying with infrastructure
Many Dutch areas where ground works are taking place, will have to deal with the above-mentioned, by Leemans dominated, disciplines. In order to carry out the projects, with as little as possible hindrance from this work, we often choose this in combination. At the request of clients we expose the underground infrastructure such as cables and wires, after detection with GRP or other detection systems, as much as possible without excavation damage. We realize this by using our computer-controlled excavators.
Qualifications: practice locked on paper
Cooperation with governments
Insurance: covered in detail
References

Leemans Special Works is fully certified for all its listed disciplines from ISO 9001 certification to both versions of the VCA ** – certificate. Leemans is also certified in accordance with BRL 7001 + 7003, BT Rail infrastructure and BRL 7510.

Through years of experience and her professional equipment is Leemans Special Works able to provide governments, at home and abroad, of a rapid intervention in risky projects and emergencies.

Leemans Special Works has on an ongoing special liability insurance to carry out exploration activities. There are also several ongoing insurances against detonation damages, as well as personal accident insurances.
